Serum concentration levels of magnesium, copper, and zinc in patients with post-viral liver cirrhosis

Abstract. Liver cirrhosis and chronic liver failure are leading causes of morbidity and mortality, caused by excessive viral hepatitis (B or C), alcohol consumption, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum concentrations of magnesium, copper, and zinc in post-viral liver cirrhosis patients. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in the Emergency Department (ED) and included 32 patients with post-viral liver cirrhosis with variceal bleeding, 32 patients with post-viral liver cirrhosis without variceal bleeding, and 35 patients without cirrhosis which served as control group. Serum concentrations of zinc, copper, and magnesium were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson’s correlation test and ANOVA test. Results: The serum levels of magnesium (11.490 ± 2.94 mg/L) and zinc (0.7959 ± 0.39 mg/L) were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in postviral cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding and without variceal bleeding compared with control group. Also, the mean serum concentration of copper (1.7519 ± 0.78 mg/L) was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in patients with postviral liver cirrhosis. The mean difference of magnesium (8.722 mg/L) using the Child-Pugh score in postviral liver cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There are significant differences between total magnesium, zinc, and copper serum concentrations between postviral cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding compared to cirrhotic patients without variceal bleeding and control group.